20 Mar 2020

New Caledonia says latest Covid-19 tests returned negative

3:19 pm on 20 March 2020

The New Caledonian government says the latest batch of coronavirus tests have all returned negative.

Its spokesperson says 828 people are self-isolating while 342 people are quarantined in a hotel.

They are being delivered food in their rooms.

More hotel space will be taken over to accommodate people during the pandemic.

The two people, who arrived from Australia with the virus this week, are at a special centre and are reported to be doing well.

The government says cargo ships have left France and the provision of goods is assured as usual.

Children of medical staff can be looked after at schools which are otherwise closed.

The telecommunications company has been asked to give full access to the internet as to allow people to work from home.